Multiple strikes proved terrorists not safe anywhere: Amit Shah

NEW DELHI: Home minister Amit Shah Tuesday laid the foundation stone for the NSG ’s Special Operations Training Centre (SOTC) in Manesar which is being built over eight acres at a cost of Rs 141 crore to provide state-of-the-art training to special commandos of NSG as well as anti-terror task forces of state/UT police, in combating terrorism.

Speaking at the ceremony at NSG’s headquarters whose campus will house the SOTC, Shah said multiple surgical strikes undertaken by the Indian security forces to bring perpetrators of terror acts, including those based on foreign soil, to justice have proven that terrorists are not safe anywhere in world and will be tracked down and punished irrespective of the jurisdiction.

Addressing the 41st Foundation Day of the anti-terror force, he said the Modi govt, through actions like the scrapping of Article 370, surgical strikes, air strikes, and Operation Sindoor has dealt severe blows to the core of terrorist networks. “Our security agencies have proven that they will track down and punish terrorists even in the depths of hell (paatal)… Operation Sindoor destroyed the headquarters of Pakistani terror groups planning attacks on India, along with their training camps and launch pads. Operation Mahadev eliminated perpetrators of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, thereby boosting the nation’s confidence in our security forces,” he said.

Praising the NSG for its courage and dedication in anti-terror operations during 26/11 attacks and the Akshardham attack, Shah announced govt will bring significant changes to the NSG’s operations in the coming days. He said a seventh NSG hub will come up in Ayodhya, adding to ones already established at Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Jammu.

“In a vast country like India, central govt alone cannot tackle terrorism; rather, all state govts, special units of state police forces, NSG, and all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) must work together to ensure the country’s safety,” Shah said while addressing the event attended by NSG chief Bhrigu Srinivasan, home secretary and Intelligence Bureau director.

Highlighting the steps taken by Modi govt since 2019 to sharpen its anti-terror response, Shah said the legal framework was strengthened with amendments to (UAPA) and NIA Act.